Modeling 101 - Answering Reader Questions

Derrione Mobley Wrote: Hi beautiful! I've been following your blog for a month now, so I trust your judgment. I would like to submit to About Faces Models and Talent, but I've seen reports on the Internet that they charge as much as $2,000 for training/classes. However, there are others who have made rebuttals, saying it is all worth it in the end. Is it worth it or should I look into another agency? I'm only asking this but you have said before that modeling classes are unnecessary. Hi there, Derrione! I'm a firm believer that you shouldn't have to spend a fortune to get started in the industry and to always be wary of any red flags, such as charging exorbitant amounts for classes, training, workshops, etc. As long as they are requiring the funds after offering a contract to an individual and not before (that would be considered an "upfront fee," which is illegal in the US), they are within their right to do that and it is entirely up to the ind

Anonymous Wrote: Hi Luv, I want to sell some of my photoshoot images on my modeling website for some money..Do I need permission from my photographers and do I have to give them some of the profits? I'm not selling them for much.. All of the photographers have signed a basic model release form. I've heard different answers to this. I live in California. Please help...Thanks! :) Hey there, Anonymous! If you have the copies of the model release forms you signed, you'll want to revisit those and read over them to see if that subject is covered (or ask for copies from the photographers if you don't have a copy handy). Not all model releases are the same and since I don't know what the ones you signed say, I can't readily say whether or not you are obligated to share any profits or ask for permission to sell your images. Model release forms aside, you'll want to practice professional courtesy and reach out to the photographers that took the ph

Anonymous Wrote: Hello, I'm 14 and I'm 5'2 and people say I'm too short to be a model, but my mom says I just can't do runway. Also, I have a lip piercing. Can I still be a model even if I'm short, and if so, are there any things you would reccomend for me to get noticed? Hi, Anonymous! Your mom is correct, you can't do runway but you can do teen modeling and commercial/print. So those are the types of agencies you should look for. You'd have to be willing to remove your lip piercing for your photoshoots, portfolio images, castings and booked jobs if you got signed by an agency, however, so just be aware of that. But they won't ask you to have it out forever, just when you have to be in front of the camera so your piercing likely wouldn't close. The best place to start would be to locate the agencies close to you in order to visit their websites and see what the requirements are and what types of photos you should send. You'll wan

Anonymous Wrote: Hi I was wondering if I could lie and round my height up a half inch when submitting my photos to agencies? I'm 5'6 1/2 and would to like record my height as 5'7. Also I would like to submit to be a commercial and print model for some of these more well known agencies and I've seen that some will represent maybe a couple that are my height. Should I still apply when they say they typically seek 5'9 even though they have a few exceptions? Also I'm on the older side at 23. Thanks! Love everything about your blog!! Hey, Anonymous! I love having you as a reader! :-) Rounding up a half inch is common but it doesn't make much of a difference for commercial/print, which tends to be more flexible when it comes to height in general compared to fashion and runway so you likely wouldn't need to round up if it isn't necessary. Just know that regardless of what you put down as your height, the agency will measure you without shoes in

Lexi Koch Wrote: Hi Diana. I am 14 and 5'0" and don't know what modeling to go into. I also am not the most skinny as a model and would like some exercises to flatten my stomach and thighs. I also live in Westfield, IN and there are not many options for modeling for me. Where should I start? Hi, Lexi! At your age and height you would be fit for teen and commercial/print modeling. Below are the names and websites of IN agencies that have teen models and/or commercial/print: Helen Wells Agency http://helenwellsagency.com/home New View Management Group http://www.nvmodels.com/become-a-model-or-actor/ Indy Models http://indymodels.com/careers.htm? Talent Fusion http://www.talent-fusion.com/p/representation A.C.T. II Model & Talent Management https://www.act2talent.com/become-a-model.html Below is another link that goes to an exercise regimen that I've found to be really useful in shedding unwanted pounds in a natural and healthy way (I use it my

Emily Antoinette Day Wrote: Hi, My name is Emily Day and I am interested in becoming a Bridal Model. What are the steps that I need to take in order to achieve that goal? Thank you! Hi there, Emily! You can go the agency route or the freelance route. The agency route obviously involves submitting your snapshots/attending open calls at the offices of agencies within a 2 hour's drive from where you live and seeing if they'd be interested in signing you. If you got signed, that would be the opportunity to talk to your agent about your goals for bridal modeling and seeing if they'd be able to submit you for that type of work. The freelance route would involve you being the one to find work and connect with people in the bridal industry. If you go this route, I would suggest doing an online search for bridal fairs/expos in your city/state and using the search results list to find out who the production companies are that put on these events. Reaching out to the pro

Anonymous Wrote: Hi, I am going to college in LA and I want to become a model so I am sending photos to different managements and I wanted to send photos to managements in New York. Would I be able to stay in LA or would I have to move? Hey, Anonymous! Many agencies have offices in both LA and NYC so that would be the best case scenario where you'd easily be able to work in both markets if the agency in LA feels that would be in your best interest and that of the agency's. However, if you sign with an agency in LA that doesn't have an office in NYC, then you would be dealing with two different agencies in two different markets (if a New York agency wanted to sign you as well). I really wouldn't advise submitting to New York agencies if you know you realistically wouldn't be able to spend much time working in that market and aren't willing to relocate. Many agencies require models to be within a 2 hour's drive from where you live, however, on occa

Anonymous Wrote: Hello! I am 5'9 and my bust and waist fit within the model range. However my hips are the problem area. I unfortunately have large hips. My current measurements are 32-25-37. I have wanted to be a model ever since I was a little girl and recently joined a gym as I am 16 and want to start getting serious. Do you know how I can get my measurements down for my waist? I am not sure what I should do because most internet sources only talk about getting a larger behind not a smaller one. Thank you for your help!!! I really appreciate it!!!!  Hi, Anonymous! Your waist is within the max allowed by agencies so as long as you can maintain your waist size and not get any bigger in that area, you'll be totally fine. I don't know your body type but getting hip measurements down tends to be more challenging than slimming down your waist. If you maintain a healthy eating regimen and exercise several times a week, you can naturally lose weight and see if that m